Johnnye Marsalis

Johnnye Bell Marsalis went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 2, 2011 at a care center in Abilene Texas. Johnnye was born to John Clifford and Fannie Hinson Bell on November 12, 1922 in Copiah County Mississippi. She attended Crystal Spring, Mississippi schools where she graduated valedictorian of her senior class. She attended Draughn Business College in Jackson Mississippi and then worked as a bookkeeper in Jackson, Mississippi and Tennessee. She later worked Civil Service jobs in accounting at Greenville AFB in Mississippi and Webb AFB in Big Spring Texas.
She married Noel Denton Marsalis on September 25, 1942. Her husband was in the military. Over a number of years they lived in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, France, Germany and Texas. She and her husband started their own business in Big Spring Texas in 1959. Over the next thirty two years she did bookkeeping for several companies that they owned. She served a term on the Civil Service Appeals Board for the City of Big Spring. She served for numerous years on the Board of Directors of the Texas Manufactured Housing Association
Johnnye was a member of the First Baptist Church of Big Spring, Texas for thirty eight years. During her membership she served on various committees including the Budget Finance Committee. After retirement, she and her husband traveled for a number of years and then began spending falls and winters in Biloxi Mississippi . There they joined the First Baptist Church of Biloxi, Mississippi. Upon settling in Abilene in 2001 she was unable to attend church due to her husbands health, but faithfully watched First Baptist Church in Abilene on television.
She is survived by her husband of sixty nine years, Noel Denton Marsalis, son Denny Marsalis and wife Angie of Abilene and daughter Carolyn Morris of Georgetown. She had five grandchildren who were her most precious treasures Carolyn Marsalis of Lubbock Mike Marsalis and wife Karla of Austin Ty Bethel and wife Emily of Conroe Amber Marsalis Young and husband Bert of Kemah and Melynie Marsalis Chavez and husband Jesus of Abilene. All loved their Mama Johnnye dearly and will always treasure memories of a wonderful grandmother. She was blessed with fifteen great grandchildren. Johnnye is also survived by one sister, Vivian Miller, Rustin Louisiana one brother, Clifford Bell, Crystal Springs, Mississippi two brothers in law HB Buddy Marsalis and wife Willene Billy Marsalis and wife Maria sister in law, Geraldine Sis Williams and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She leaves behind a loyal companion, her poodle, Prince.
The family would like to thank Sears Methodist Hospice, Windcrest Alzheimers Care Center, Visiting Angels and the staff at ARMC for their assistance and tender loving care.
There will be a visitation at Elmwood Funeral home at 5750 Hwy 277 in Abilene at 2:00 p.m. on November 5th with funeral service immediately following at 3:00 p.m. Service will be officiated by Pastor Ernie McLean. The family will have a visitation at 10:00 a.m. on November 8th at Stringer Funeral Home with burial at Harmony cemetery in Crystal Springs Mississippi. Graveside services will be conducted by Dr. Stan Weatherford.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the building fund at Elm Creek Baptist Church 6110 FM 89, Tuscola, Tx 79562, Sears Methodist Hospice or a charity of your choice.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Saturday, November 5, 2011
2:00 till 3:00 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Saturday, November 5, 2011
3:00 PM